Seven fishermen missing at sea for more than a week have reportedly made contact by phone, saying their canoe, Second Chance, is stranded far offshore after an engine failure.
One of the crew members, Kwame Akyim, told TV3 News reporter Abraham Mensah in a telephone interview that the canoe’s outboard motor had failed, leaving the seven men drifting in open waters.
According to Mr Akyim, strong tides carried the canoe more than 120 nautical miles offshore.
“We had an engine failure with the outboard motor,” he said.
He said the crew later used canvas to help move the canoe but remained stranded, with limited food and no assistance.
“We haven’t had a decent meal for over a week. We had to feed on the fish we had caught. We have been praying since,” Mr Akyim said.
The crew member also claimed that they had resorted to boiling seawater for drinking.
“We boil seawater and drink it,” he said.
Despite the reported hardship, Mr Akyim said the seven men were generally in stable condition, although one crew member had experienced stomach pain.
He expressed frustration over what he described as unsuccessful attempts to attract the attention of passing vessels.
“No one is responding to our call,” he said.
“Ships move past us and do not heed our distress call,” he added.
The Western Regional Marine Police Command had earlier announced a coordinated search for the canoe and its seven crew members.
The canoe’s owner, Nana Kweku Atta, reported its disappearance to the Fishing Harbour Police Station in Sekondi on October 18 after it failed to return from a fishing expedition off Axim.
The canoe departed Sekondi Fishing Harbour on October 9.
Preliminary information from the police suggested that the canoe may have suffered engine failure and drifted towards Tema and the Volta coast. Its last known position had not been confirmed.
The Ghana Navy, Ghana Maritime Authority, Fisheries Commission, relevant coastal police stations and fishing communities had been alerted to assist in the search.
The latest account from the crew may provide a critical lead for rescue teams, although their current location and the status of rescue efforts remain to be confirmed.
The seven fishermen are Kwame Akyim, 42; Uncle Amoah, 27; Kobina Koom, 38; Emma, 39; Oboy, 28; Kwamena, 40; and Abodwe, 38.